Axle journal stop device

ABSTRACT

A journal stop device adapted to be inserted into a railway truck axle box between the axle journal and the sides of the box to transmit thrusts between the journal and box sides resulting from acceleration or deceleration of the truck movements.

[ Aug. 6, 1974 AXLE JOURNAL STOP DEVICE [75] Inventors: James J. Hennessy, Jr.,

3,684,331 8/1972 Hennessy,

Chambersburg; Luther L. Bollinger, Sr., Reading, both of Pa.

Assignee: Hennessy Products Incorporated,

Primary ExaminerCharles J. Myhre Assistant ExaminerFrank Susko Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Bedell and Burgess Chambersburg, Pa.

Mar. 5, 1973 Appl. No.: 338,356

[22] Filed:

ABSTRACT A journal stop device adapted to be inserted into a [52] U.S. Cl. 308/40 [51] Kill. Cl. F166 41/00 railway truck axle box between the axle journal and [58] Field of 308/40, 88 the sides of the box to transmit thrusts between the journal and box sides resulting from acceleration or deceleration of the truck movements.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 2,915,860 Hoyer et 308/88 AXLE JOURNAL STOP DEVICE The invention comprises improvements on an earlier structure disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,684,331 issued to the present inventors.

The objects of the invention are to provide a simple multipart structure comprising a support member, of flexible material, and journal engageable blocks, of rigid material, secured to the support member by staples or similar elements which are not affected by repeated flexure of the support member resulting from relative movements of the engaged journal and blocks transversely of the box.

An additional object of the invention is to render the device reversible end-for-end to facilitate its insertion into an opening in the end of the journal box.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a vertical transverse section through a railway axle journal and adjacent portions of a railway truck frame journal box and the stop device applied to them.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the stop device opened out into flat position before being inserted into the box.

FIG. 3 is a vertical section and end view of the device taken on line.33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective of the axle opposing blocks mounted on each end of the support strip.

The stop device is adapted for insertion into a conventional journal box 1 which may be integral with or separate from a railway truck side frame 2 mounted upon an axle journal 3 by means of the usual bearing 4 and wedge 5.

The stop comprises an elongated flexible web the middle portion of which may be bent readily into arcuate or U shape to rest upon the concave inner bottom wall of the box, with relatively narrow leg portions 12 extending upwardly along the box sides and mounting bearing opposing blocks 13, one at each side of the journal. Preferably web 10 is of rubber or similarly flexible material, and impact blocks 13 are of solid nylon or similarly relatively rigid material.

Each block 13 includes an integral flange 14 extending horizontally when the stop is installed in the box. A recess 15 between the body of each block and its flange 14 is adapted to receive a horizontal rib R on the wall of the journal box such as is in general use for preventing undue shifting of cotton waste packed about the lower portion of the journal. A pair of ribs 16 depend from block flange l4 and receive the upper end of a support leg 12 between them. Blocks 13 are secured to the ends of support legs 12 by staples or rivets l8 preferably of metal or other material, which are clinched as shown. Each block possesses sufficient rigidity to bridge recess 15 and across ribs 16 and avoids the necessity of using a filler for the recess or requiring a solid block device when used in a non-rib box.

By making support web 10 and impact blocks 13 of different materials having the qualities described, and connecting them as described, it is possible to obtain the desired flexibility of the support web 10 for folding to insert and remove the device into and out of the box when the truck frame and box are jacked up and the bearing and wedge are removed. The joints between the support web and the blocks are not subject to flexure tending to loosen them from each other as is possible with the integral structure of the earlier US. Pat. No. 3,684,331.

The middle part of web 10 is substantially wider than the leg portions 12 and extends parallel to the length of blocks 13 and preferably is symmetrical about the longitudinal centerline L of the strip so that it is immaterial as to which end of the unit is first inserted into the box. This feature not only facilitates insertion of the device into the box, but avoids improper positioning of the stops which may occur with an unsymmetrical body strip.

The specific materials used and other details may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention and exclusive use of those modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims is contemplated.

We claim:

1. A railway axle journal stop device comprising a flexible support strip of sheet material bendable into a U-shaped contour having an elongated middle portion adapted to seat against the bottom and the sides of a journal box and with upstanding support leg portions, a block of rigid material supported on the upper end of each leg portion having an upright bearing face adapted to oppose an axle journal, each of said blocks having a flange rigidly extending away from its bearing face, each said flange having a rigidly depending rib at its outer edge extending closely parallel to said support leg portion and overlapping the upper end of same, and separate elements extending through said rib and the overlapped end of said support leg portion and securing said ribs to the upper portions of said support portions.

2. A railway axle journal box stop device as described in claim I in which each block horizontal flange has depending spaced apart ribs forming therewith a downwardly opening groove receiving the upper part of the support leg portion, and the separate securing element passes through said ribs and leg portion.

3. A railway axle journal box stop device as described in claim 2 in which a series of staple-like elements extend through each upper end of each leg portion and the sides of the downwardly facing groove forming a recess receiving the same.

4. A railway axle journal stop device as described in claim 1 in which the device is symmetrical about a center line through the blocks and either side of the device may be installed adjacent the inner end of an axle journal.

5. A railway axle journal stop device as described in claim I in which the elongated middle portion extends fore and aft of the upstanding leg portions the same distance beyond each leg portion. 

1. A railway axle journal stop device comprising a flexible support strip of sheet material bendable into a U-shaped contour having an elongated middle portion adapted to seat against the bottom and the sides of a journal box and with upstanding support leg portions, a block of rigid material supported on the upper end of each leg portion having an upright bearing face adapted to oppose an axle journal, each of said blocks having a flange rigidly extending away from its bearing face, each said flange having a rigidly depending rib at its outer edge extending closely parallel to said support leg portion and overlapping the upper end of same, and separate elements extending through said rib and the overlapped end of said support leg portion and securing said ribs to the upper portions of said support portions.
 2. A railway axle journal box stop device as described in claim 1 in which each block horizontal flange has depending spaced apart ribs forming therewith a downwardly opening groove receiving the upper part of the support leg portion, and the separate securing element passes through said ribs and leg portion.
 3. A railway axle journal box stop device as described in claim 2 in which a series of staple-like elements extend through each upper end of each leg portion and the sides of the downwardly facing groove forming a recess receiving the same.
 4. A railway axle journal stop device as described in claim 1 in which the device is symmetrical about a center line through the blocks and either side of the device may be installed adjacent the inner end of an axle journal.
 5. A railway axle journal stop device as described in claim 1 in which the elongated middle portion extends fore and aft of the upstanding leg portions the same distance beyond each leg portion. 